'A safe and happy school where children can be the best they can be!'
Welcome from the Headteacher
Welcome to the website for Vallis First School. I feel very privileged to be leading this amazing school in the beautiful market town of Frome. I started as Headteacher in September 2019 and I am very proud of the happy, safe and purposeful atmosphere in the school that is created by our dedicated and skilled staff team and the great learning attitudes of our children. The school feels like a large family and the strong nurturing and inclusive environment ensures that all our children achieve to the very best of their abilities.
There is a lot of information on our website, but if there are any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to telephone or come in as we will be very happy to help. If you are looking for a school for your child, I would be very pleased to show you around our school so you can see and experience for yourself the unique Vallis First School.
Nick Firkins (Headteacher)
Statement of ethos and values
The Curriculum we offer to children at Vallis First School is intended to develop the whole child; socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually and intellectually and to provide the basic skills needed for life and work. We aim to develop enquiring minds and a spirit of curiosity and the skills to work independently and as a team. In particular the curriculum seeks:
- to help pupils gain respect for moral and religious values as well as developing an acceptance and understanding of other races, religions and ways of life.
- to encourage the children to widen their use of language, both written and spoken.
- to help pupils to develop their mathematical skills and to apply those effectively.
- to develop an interest in science, technology and the natural world.
- to encourage children to express themselves through music, drama, a variety of arts and crafts and develop the necessary skills in these areas.
- to impart to children an understanding of history and geography and of the environment in which they live.
- to help children develop physical co-ordination and confidence.
- to teach children a sense of responsibility for themselves and their community, our nation, the environment and value and respect for each other.
- to encourage children’s awareness of how to value and care for themselves and live a healthy lifestyle.
Diary Dates
- Monday 20th April - INSET DAY
- Monday 1st June - INSET DAY
- Monday 20th July - INSET DAY
Notifications for Parents/Carers
Dear Families of Vallis,
Well we have come to the end of our first week of the nationwide lockdown and I sincerely hope that you are all safe and well. These are tricky times for everyone but I want you all to know that we are doing everything we can to support you all in this strange and surreal situation.
Through our web site, phone calls and texts, we are endeavouring to keep you all in touch and up to date. Today, you will see on our web site some new whole school topic webs which the staff have worked hard to bring together. Hopefully, they will give you some ideas of things you can do at home to engage your children. When we get through all this and back to some normality, it would be great to share all of this fantastic learning that you are doing at home with your children. Please don’t feel pressurised to be covering all the things we might have done in school – any time you are spending with your children will I am sure be treasured and fondly remembered in years to come.
It’s only been a week but I am already missing all the children and staff that make Vallis such a special place to be. Take care and be safe.
Nick Firkins
The school is now closed to all pupils except those of Key Workers – please see letter dated 20/03/2020 on the Thursday Note tab of our website.
Please see the latest guidance from SAPH, the organisation that represents primary Headteachers in Somerset. Who quote ‘The current situation is unprecedented in modern times and presents Headteachers and schools with a very difficult situation to manage. SAPH has given advice to Headteachers that they can only open their schools to those children who fit within the Government Guidelines and that as there will likely be limited staff available, they must manage numbers of children so that establishments are safe. This is likely to mean that some children who might arguably fit the criteria will not be allowed into school for example where one parent is able to provide childcare even when the other is a ‘key worker’. And have asked us as schools to challenge the ‘one parent is a key worker’ advice from the Government.
Please continue to check the Thursday Note page of this website for updates and suggestions and web links to educational work that you can give your child/ren to do during the closure.